The 2024 Larcis Ducasse is dense, powerful and imposing, almost surprisingly so. All of the wine's intensity is in the mid-palate. Black cherry, plum, mocha, lavender, chocolate and cinnamon meld together in the glass, but it is the wine's mind-blowing balance that stands out most. This is another stellar showing from Larcis Ducasse. There's real potential here. Tasted four times.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged in a mix of new and once-used barrels along with foudre, the 2024 Château Larcis Ducasse shows ripe black cherries, darker berries, loamy earth, and integrated oak. Medium-bodied, it reveals a round, layered, seamless mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and terrific balance.

Good grip, plenty of character and depth through the palate, freshly cut herbs, blueberry and blackcurrant, savoury with floral character. Harvest 24 September to 7 October. 50% new oak, Gratiot-Atimane family.

The 2024 Larcis Ducasse was showing well during our tasting, revealing ripe, expressive aromas of violet, dark berries, smoke, pencil lead and subtle oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it is both lively and elegant with a juicy core of fruit and velvety tannins that gently assert themselves on the youthfully chalky finish. The fruit appears perfectly ripe—avoiding the over-ripeness observed in some recent vintages—allowing the wine to convey the character of its limestone terroir. The blend is composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.

The 2024 Larcis Ducasse offers strawberry and raspberry pastilles intermixed with vanilla on the nose, quite expressive even if it lacks a bit of complexity compared to the best vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly "thick" tannins that lend a bit more grip. The 2024 is a solid Saint-Émilion that lacks a bit of finesse but has flavour and density. It could come around if given a prudent élevage.

85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Subtle aromatically – red-berry and terroir notes. Smooth and polished on attack. Fruit very much present on the mid palate and tannins that are finely honed. Silky texture. Juicy, fresh and long on the finish. Balanced and harmonious. (JL)